The Bothy, Auchencastle

06/06/2026

I don’t usually mention the treat box in The Bothy, next to the tea & coffee, because of the old “under promise, over deliver” thing. It’s nice to have a little treat when you arrive, tired after travelling.
But…

05/06/2026

I forgot! After I bought much deliciousness at MRHS Provisions I went over the road to Harvest-Time Delicatessen and bought some Scottish cheeses. They will be so good with oatcakes. Thank you Julie!
You will not be short of local food and drink suppliers when you visit The Bothy, Auchencastle 😂. You might have difficulty fitting in your favourite trousers at the end of your stay… that’s why you need to get exploring all those great walks and bike routes nearby! 🥾🚶🏼‍♂️🚴🏼‍♀️

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

I’ve got friends and family staying in The Bothy this weekend. I want to treat them to delicious local food, but we don’t want to be spending time on food prep or doing the dishes when we could be out walking, visiting castles and shops and the coast… and it’s easier to eat at home with the dogs. So I contacted Jamie at MRHS Provisions a couple of a days ago, gave him a few ideas of what I was looking for and… tah-dah! From his regular range we have chicken & bacon pies and beef & red wine pies, 3 different curries including a vegan option, a huge bag of delicious chicken pakora and cauliflower and chickpea pakora (also vegan) and fresh fruit and veg. Then, freshly made for me, oh I wish you could smell the chocolate!, chocolate bread & butter pudding, cauliflower cheese, saag aloo, potatoes roasted in butter and thyme, and spring cabbage with bacon. I’m putting it all in The Bothy freezer. We can eat it when it fits in with each day, it’s all easy to defrost and reheat. And any leftovers (like that’s going to happen!) can go home with my parents or into my freezer. 😊. Sorted!
Get in touch a few days before you are due to arrive at The Bothy and Jamie and I will put treats in the freezer ready for your arrival. You can pay Jamie directly by bank transfer. He’s great value, and it’s so good to know that it is all locally made with no weird preservatives or flavouring.
The sacrifices I make for you guys, trying out local suppliers, 😂😁😂!

29/05/2026

Aren’t the flowers looking gorgeous just now?! The laburnum, rhododendrons, wisteria and clematis are so kind to all flower at the same time 🥰

26/05/2026

Recent little improvements to The Bothy, Auchencastle.
Find out more at www.TheBothyAuchencastle.co.uk

26/05/2026

It’s been a busy week at The Bothy, Auchencastle! A Nespresso Vertuo machine and a milk heater / frother have been added to the kitchen, and diligently tried out. Rather good! An instruction sheet has been written out to save you faffing around with numerous YouTube videos and QR codes like we did 😂 - it’s a good job we got a good mug of coffee at the end of the process!
A second mirror has been added to the garden bedroom, beside the chest of drawers and double plug socket. This should make it easier to get presentable in the morning, if required. (The rabbits and pheasants really don’t care what you look like! Stay in your PJs with bed-hair all day, watching the birds on the bird feeder and get food delivered from Spice Indian takeaway or Moffat Chippy 😁)
The Scottish Fine Soaps dispensers have all been upgraded to the new-style packaging, very stylish. Don’t worry, the old packaging hasn’t gone to landfill, it is looking gorgeous in my home. Thank you very much to Jan Hughes for her advice on breaking into the old soap dispenser brackets - not easy!
And finally, my “Bothy Upgrade Side-kick” Denice and I tried out the Annandale Arms Hotel Sunday Carvery for you all. It is delicious, the staff are friendly and professional and the desserts are 11/10! Marmalade pudding with ice-cream AND cream and apple and blackberry crumble with custard, mmm! Highly recommended!
Nearly forgot… aren’t the woods around The Bothy looking beautiful? The bluebells are breath-taking, and the fragrance as you walk down The Bothy drive in the evening is heavenly. Suzy and Radley prefer the scents of all the wildlife, intriguing and tempting!

25/05/2026

Oooh a Limoncello Spritz? That sounds so refreshing on a hot day! And if the weather is a bit cooler, recent The Bothy, Auchencastle guests said that the seafood chowder at Hugo’s was delicious 😋

24/05/2026

The water and sand play area in Station Park, Moffat, is so much fun! There is free parking with EV charging points, it is next door to the Co-op for quick snacks, sunblock, Calpol etc, there is a cafe with toilets in the Moffat Mill beside the co-op and there is also a play area with swings, etc.
So much fun!!